from here

Canterbury & South Island news:

Canterbury project uses algae in wastewater to make fuel. Solray Energy. (19 November, Stuff/The Press).

Big Christchurch housing scheme back on the agenda. (19 November, Stuff/The Press).

ECan review teams announced. (16 November, NZ Herald).
Also:
ECan being investigated by consultancy firm that already reviewed it on behalf of disgruntled South Canterbury councils. (17 November, Stuff/The Press).

NZ Windfarms: Turbines still in plan despite legal stoush. ( 16 November, Stuff/The Press).

Funding shortfall blocks bus lane project. (18 November, Stuff/The Press).

ECan survey: successful strategy for controlling nasella tussock. (18 November ECan).

Iwi to benefit as Govt seeks ETS support. (18 November, Stuff/The Press).

Icebergs coud reach South Island. (18 November, NZ Herald).

Canterbury coast seabed research to shed more light on climate change. (17 November, Stuff/The Press).

Lincoln Envirotown Trust November newsletter. (www.lincolnenvirotown.org.nz).

High tech teaching space launched. Classroom of the future. (12 November, University of Canterbury).

Upper Rangitata: Community initiative to clear broom on the river flats. (17 November, ECan).

Tekapo: Harvard University astronomer, Prof Kirschner, backs Mt John for a World Heritage Reserve. (14 November, Timaru Herald/Stuff).

Ahuriri Valley: High country carbon plan investigated. The aim is to quantify what is happening in the carbon sequestration world with native scrublands, tussock grasslands and wetlands under different management regimes. (16 November, Otago Daily Times).

Mackenzie Basin: Dry Creek for sale. (19 November, Timaru Herald/Stuff).

Mackenzie Basin: Plea to preserve paradise. The Upper Waitaki water consents process. (17 November, Stuff/Timaru Herald).

Queenstown Lakes: DOC decision paves way for consideration of a proposed $170 million tunnel linking Queenstown to Milford Sound. (18 November, Otago Daily Times).

Lake Ben Lomond: Volunteers sought for wilding pine battle. (16 November, Otago Daily Times).

Fiordland: Largest takahe release into the Murchison Mountains. (12 November, DOC).

North Island & national:

Govt accused of $50bn ETS blunder. (16 November, NZ Herald).

Fred Pearce, Pom, dishes the dirt on NZ's clean, green image. : "My prize for the most shameless two fingers to the global community goes to New Zealand, a country that sells itself round the world as 'clean and green'." (14 November, Dominion Post/Stuff). (Original article below, see under from there).
Also:
NZ's clean, green 'reality check'. (13 November, Stuff).
Also:
Climate change: The cost of staying on the sidelines. Editorial. (16 November, Stuff/Taranaki Daily News).

Key to farmers: Accept $3000 ETS cost and stop whinging. (18 November, Yahoo! News).
Also:
Farmers call for ETS to be scrapped, and re-started - tired of being blamed for generating half the nation's greenhouse gas emissions. (18 November, Yahoo! News).
Also:
Cup of tea time for ETS. (18 November, Timaru Herald/Stuff).

Carbon trading an indulgence we can't afford. John Blakely. (19 November, NZ Herald).

Govt plans to 'unlock' NZ's petroleum potential. (18 November, NZ Herald).

US Free Trade Agreement a poisoned chalice for NZ. (16 November, CAFCA).

AgResearch wants GE cows, sheep and goats for production of medicinal super-milk by mixing human and animal DNA. (13 November, Stuff).

Inghams warned over GM-free chicken ads. (18 November, Otago Daily TImes).

New convention to manage fish stocks. South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO). (15 November, TVNZ).

NZ top in fisheries research. (15 November, TVNZ).

Forfeit $20m fishing haul to save the Ross Sea, NZ urged. (16 November, NZ Herald).

Is Fonterra guilty of putting profit before the environment? Greenpeace activists shut pit at Southland coalmine used to help power a Fonterra dairy factory. (18 November, NZ Herald).

The wrongs and rights over new access to the foreshores. Public access to the foreshore and seabed is no longer a "bottom line" for government policy-makers. Matt Nippert. (8 November, NZ Herald).

Anti-1080 protests misconceived, says DOC. banning use of the poison would push vulnerable native bird species towards extinction. (13 November, Yahoo News).-

How ship strikes are killing Auckland's whale population. (14 November, NZ Herald).

Owners struggle for leaky home repairs. (19 November, Dominion Post/Stuff).

Manukau: Local government help for 32 Manukau enviroschools since central govt cut funding. "Enviroschools has brought about real results – environmental improvement, reduced anti-social behaviour, youth leadership, Maori achievement and community engagement. These are the elements that create strong communities and it’s these that we want to foster," said Mayor Brown. (18 November, Eastern Courier/Stuff).

Gisborne: Bike helmet not so flimsy after all. (19 November, Stuff/Dominion Post).

Cycling trip of a lifetime. When Belgian-born Wouter Van Wezemael learned his partner was pregnant, he assumed his dream holiday was off. (19 November, NZ Herald).

Conservationist names 100th kakapo. (16 November, DOC).

Re-linked awards, submissions, consultations etc:

• 2010 NZAEE Conference: Te Ahu Whakamua - Taking the next steps. Hawkes Bay, 19 - 22 January. To read about what's on & to register: www.nzaeeconference2010.co.nz. Early bird registrations close 27 November. (NZAEE: NZ Association for Environmental Education).
  

• Public consultation: DOC wants public input for planning and managing recreation in the Ō Tū Wharekai project area (Ashburton Lakes and upper Rangitata River). The area includes two conservation parks - Hakatere and Te Kahui Kaupeka.The focus of Ō Tū Wharekai is to protect and restore the wetlands - one of three wetlands projects in the national Arawai Kākāriki wetland programme. More here. Till 30 November.

• Help improve the DOC website: DOC is redeveloping the 'Getting Involved' section of its website to include more information for individuals and community groups who want to get involved/are involved in conservation work. They want your ideas for this section. There's an online exercise (15 minutes max).  Participants go in a draw for a prize. To participate: click here.
  

• 'Living Streams: A guide to restoring rural waterways': free, newly released 3 part series of handbooks to assist people and groups improve and maintain the health of the region's waterways. (ECan).
  
  
• CCC's new cycling website www.seasonofcycling.co.nz.
  
  
• Lincoln Envirotown Trust 2010 native biodiversity calendar. $10.00 for a good cause. Produced jointly by LET & Lincoln University. Profits go to LET. Available from Lincoln township library, LET caravan (Sat. mornings), Lincoln University book shop and many other outlets in Lincoln or from Sue 03 329 5858, or sue.jarvis@orcon.net.nz.
  
  
• CCC funding workshops for clubs and community groups. (CCC).
  
  
• Public consultation: managing Belfast's growth and development. Till 4 December. (CCC).
  
  
• LEARNZ Field trips:
  Cool Wind Farm (Antarctica) 12 - 20 November.
  Blue Duck (Karamea) 18 - 20 November.
  Background info & more here: www.learnz.org.nz. Supported by Ministry of Education.
  
  
• Big Game hunting discussion document. Open for submissions till 23 November. (DOC).
  
  
• Feel the Heat Petition. Take action on Climate Change. (www.oxfam.org.nz).
  Also:
  Sign on: There's no planet B. Sign On (More than 135,000 NZers so far). (www.signon.org.nz).
  
  
• Have your say: current CCC consultations.

& from there

• World on course for catastrophic 6 degree rise, say scientists. (18 November, The Independent).
  
  
• Obama and Hu aim to agree GHG targets. Could breathe new life into Copenhagen climate change talks. (17 November, The Guardian).
  
  
• Copenhagen: 'Angry mermaid' joins fight against climate change. Award will go to organisation doing most to sabotage action over global warming. (15 November, The Independent).
  
  
• US: The most recent economic downturn is a peak oil recession. (1 November, E&P).
  
  
• UK: Energy security body calls for 'urgent' review of impact of oil shortages. (15 November, The Guardian).
  
  
• UK: The one thing depleting faster than oil is the credibility of those measuring it. The challenge of feeding billions of people as fuel supplies fall is staggering. And yet leaders' heads remain stuck in the sand. George Monbiot. (16 November, The Guardian).
  
  
• UK: Colin Campbell's response to The Guardian's IEA reporting. (ie, Guardian interview with a 'whistleblower' claiming that key oil figures were distorted by US pressure so as to avoid 'panic buying', claims that the IEA subsequently denied). Campbell, one of the worlds pre-eminent depletion analysts, and co-author of the 1998 Scientific American article, "The End of Cheap Oil", has drafted a reply to the Guardian on these issues. (16 November, The Oil Drum).
  
  
• Australian Senate: Peak Oil motion defeated 31: 6. The major parties are not just ignorant of 'peak oil'. They are, with clarity of purpose, voting against any attempt to respond or even investigate further. (18 November, The Oil Drum).
  
  
• Oil production is reaching its limits: the basics of what this means. Gail Tverberg. (16 November, The Oil Drum).
  
  
• China: Market cornered for rare minerals. (16 November, The Standard).
  
  
• UK: Food security battle continues to be fought on many fronts. UN food security summit draws to a halt amid a plethora of platitudes about feeding the poor. World is currently in what is essentially a pause in a continuing food crisis. (18 November, Financial Times).
  
  
• UNEP: Invest in ecosystems and reap rewards - will bring higher rates of return and stronger economies. (13 November, Reuters).
  
  
• UN set to regulate 'farmland grabs'. which involve rich countries such as Saudi Arabia and South Korea investing in overseas farming to boost their own food security.(18 November, Financial Times).
  
  
• Interivew: ecological campaigner Million Belay: Ethiopia doesn't need or want Bill Gates. We have another alternative. Any scientist will tell you that small agriculture produces more in total than a monoculture. (16 November, Ecologist).
  
  
• Africa: Aid groups, farmers collaborate to re-green Sahel. "The desert will rejoice," Ouedraogo said. "It will take time, but we all can help contribute to it." (9 November, WorldChanging).
  
  
• US: The Nitrogen Fix: breaking a costly addiction. It is like a drug mainlined into the planet’s ecosystems, suffusing every cell, every pore — including our own bodies. Fred Pearce. (5 November, Yale360).
  
  
• UK: New solutions needed for food and farming. Business as usual no longer an option. (11 November, Soil Association).
  
  
• UK: Pee to help make your garden grow. (13 November, BBC).
  
  
• Japan: The world's best bike shed? - can hold up to 6,000 bikes. (5 November, The Guardian).
  
  
• Holland: Dutch the first in Europe to adopt green tax for cars. (16 November, The Independent).
  
  
• US: The fate of the yeast people: ...human reproduction rates are also greatly increasing the supply of idiots relative to resources, and that is especially problematic in the USA, where idiots rule the culture and polity. The cocoon of normality prevents us from appreciating how peculiar and special recent times have been in this country. James Kunstler. (16 November, Clusterfuck Nation).
  
  
• UK: New Zealand was a friend to Middle Earth but it's no friend of the earth. Fred Pearce. (12 November, The Guardian).

Natural world:

• Mystery 'dark flow' extends towards edge of the universe. There's something big out there beyond the visible edge of our universe. (16 November, New Scientist.
  
  
• US: Scientists propose a 'genome zoo' of 10,000 vertebrate species. (4 November, All Business).
  
  
• Red Sea: Predatory coral eats jellyfish. (13 November, BBC Earth News).
  
  
• Australia: Great Barrier Reef survival "requires 25 per cent CO2 cut".
  
  
• Indonesia: Newly born 'missing link' pre-historic fish caught on video for the first time. A coelacanth. (17 November, The Guardian).
  
  
• NZ: More than 7 km down under: Deepest dwelling fish in Southern Hemisphere photographed. (13 November, NZ Herald).
  
  
• California, US: Real-life rolling stones creep across Death Valley. (18 November, Telegraph.co.uk).
  
  
• Best wildlife videos: animals attack. Youtube clips. (16 November, Telegraph.co.uk).
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Using ecoNet

Is easy. Just send in to the editor information about an event, activity or submission you want to share and it will go in ecoNet....as long as it's appropriate of course.

ecoNet is put out (Fridays) by Christchurch Branch of NZAEE (NZ Association for Environmental Education), a non-profit, national organisation of people working to promote and support environmental education, lifelong learning and sustainable behaviour throughout New Zealand/Aotearoa.

How do I contribute?

Use the links below to:

• forward ecoNet address to others you think may like to receive it - it's free
  
• become a subscriber
  
• send us information for the weekly diary.
• contact us

• Birdwatchers wanted: Ashley River bird survey.

  Good chance to see wrybill, black-fronted terns, black-billed gulls.
  When: 9.00 - 12.00 pm Saturday, 21 Nov.
  Where: Meet 9.00 am at the picnic area on the Rangiora side of the Ashley bridge (not the bridge on State Highway 1).
  Bring: Binoculars, GPS, food, warm clothing, sunhat, suncream, sturdy footwear (be prepared for wet feet).
  RSVP (To know how many coming)/contact: Eric Spurr 03 313 8283 or spurreb@slingshot.co.nz.
  
  

• Volunteers welcome: Wilding pine control day.

  When: Sunday, 22 November.
  Where: Mt Isobel, Hanmer Springs.
  Meeting point: 10.00 am at Hanmer Springs Sports Pavilion car park.
  More info/contact: Wayne King (03) 315 7455.
  
  

• Documentary: The Flight of the Hookioi.

  The journey of two Waikato Maori rangatira, who worked their passage to Vienna in 1859. Based on the diary record of one of the men. Covers not only their time in Vienna but also the political significance of their return to NZ. (First shown on Maori TV).
  Introduction and commentary by: Helen M Hogan, who, in her book Bravo Neu Zeeland, presented the diary in its original Maori and in translation.
  When: 10.00 - 12.00 noon Tuesday, 24 November.
  Where: WEA, 59 Gloucester St.
  Cost: $7.00, free to WEA members.
  
  

• Public talk: Recent evidence on (im)morality in taxation.

  Should there be a 'moral' or 'patriotic' obligation on the 'haves' to contribute more than their fair share of taxes to benefit the 'have-nots' and so give something back to wider society?
  Speaker: Professor Adrian Sawyer, Department of Accounting and Information Systems, University of Canterbury.
  When: 6.00 - 7.00 pm Tuesday, 24 Nov.
  Where: Christchurch Art Gallery.
  More/contact: here. (www.canterbury.ac.nz).
  
  

• Talk: Climate change and Antarctica:

  introduction to the nature of climate change in Antarctica and the consequences for polar ecology.
  Speaker: Professor Andrew Clarke, University of Canterbury visiting Erskine Fellow.
  When: 7.00 - 8.30 pm Tuesday, 24 Nov.
  Where: Venue on enrolment (University of Canterbury).
  Cost: $10.00.
  More info/register: here. (www.canterbury.ac.nz).
  
  

• Exhibition: A-Z of Canterbury Birds – a photographic ornithological odyssey.

  We hear them, sometimes notice them, tend to take them for granted - even common backyard birds are fascinating when captured in detail through discerning lenses.
  Photographs by a group of Christchurch photographers.
  When: Opens Tuesday, 24 November. Until 9 January 2010. (Hours:  Monday - Saturday, 10.00 – 4.00 pm).
  Where:  Our City O-Tautahi, cnr Oxford Tce & Worcester Blvd.
  Free admission.
  
  

• Exhibition: Finding New Zealand – how maps show the exploration and development of New Zealand.

  18th & early 19th century maps of the whole of New Zealand show how early explorers ‘filled in the gaps’ and increased their accuracy after Cook’s 1772 chart; 19th century maps of Canterbury show the development and settlement of the Plains including early runs.
  Selected maps available for sale.
  When: Opens Tuesday, 24 November. Until 9 January 2010. (Hours: Monday - Saturday, 10.00 – 4.00 pm).
  Where: Our City O-Tautahi, cnr Oxford Tce & Worcester Blvd.
  Free admission.
  
  

• Art Exhibition: He awa reo - river talk.

  To celebrate the magnificent Waimakariri River, threatened by proposed Central Plains Water scheme.
  When: Opens 5.30 pm Tuesday, 24 Nov. (Hours: Tues - Fri 10.00 - 4.00; Sat, Sun 12.00 - 2.00).
  Where: CoCA, 66 Gloucester St.
  More info/contact: 366 7261.
  Sponsors: Malvern Hills Protection Society, Alpine Jets.
  
  

• Exhibition: Contemporary Maori cloaks.

  Colour, texture and pattern.
  Craftsperson: Roka Ngarimu-Cameron.
  When: 21 November – 21 March.
  Where: Special Exhibition Hall, Canterbury museum.
  
  

• AGM: Otamahua/Quail Island Ecological Restoration Trust.

  Guest Speaker:  Ray Genet, whose University thesis on the possibility of restoring native vegetation on Quail Island was the start of the Trust's work 12 years ago, has recently returned from France.  He will talk about the Trust's progress and how it measures up to his original concept. 
  When: 5.30 pm Thursday, 26 November.
  Where: Board meeting room, South Christchurch Service Centre (Beckenham Library), 66 Colombo St.
  All welcome.
  
  

• Public meeting:  Climate Change Action Now: An introduction to Transition Towns.

  How can our communities respond to the challenges arising from climate change, resource depletion and an economy based on growth?
  Speaker: Steve Earnshaw, orthopaedic surgeon, Timaru; also head of the Transition Towns group.
  When: 7.30 pm Friday, 27 November.
  Where: St Andrews Church Hall, 107 Marriotts Rd., North New Brighton.
  Hosted by: Lianne Dalziel, MP, Labour.
  
  

• Charity garage sale: Te Whare Roimata.

  (info here).
  When: 9.00 - 12.30 pm Saturday, 28 Nov.
  Where: Te Whare Roimata, 274 Gloucester St.
  Like to donate goods?: Ph. Jenni or Heeni 3795 134 to arrange pick up.
  
  

• National Wild Rivers Day:

  To celebrate the beauty & importance of our remaining wild rivers. Ten events around NZ during this weekend. (Wild and scenic rivers are a big part of NZ’s heritage yet throughout the country they are under threat from irrigation and hydro development).
  Canterbury: Hurunui River family fun day and BYO picnic.
  -Try out kayaking with White Water NZ.
  -Learn to cast a fly with Fish & Game.
  -Watch endangered birdlife with Forest & Bird.
  -Watch the kayak slalom competition (11am - 2pm)
  -Learn how to check and clean for didymo.
  -DOC information officer on hand.
  -Sausage sizzle.
  -Hot and cold drinks provided.
  When: 10.00 - 3.00 pm Sunday, 29 November.
  Where: Jollie Brook stream, Hurunui River confluence. (map here).
  Bring: Picnic lunch, togs, wetsuit, polyprops if you plan to get wet, sturdy footwear,
  sunhat & sunscreen, binoculars if you want to bird-watch, warm clothing.
  More info/contact: Bruce Coleman (Forest & Bird) 376 4979 or 021 376 807.
  Background: here (www.forestandbird.org.nz).
  & here: www.wildrivers.org.nz.
  Organisers: Eight conservation & recreation organisations including Forest & Bird, Whitewater NZ, Fish & Game, Federated Mountain Clubs.

  EARTHWISE, Plains FM 96.9

  Each Monday & Wednesday at 9.00 pm.
  Conservation, environment and peace with justice.
  Presenters: Martin and Lois Griffiths.
  NB: Listen again to Earthwise programmes on archive.
  

Coming up:

• Seminar: To share experiences of Cycling England:

  Working with UK govt to spend more than $450M on cycling development, effective cycling promotions, how the strong economic case for cycling has developed through Cycling England’s work. Also to challenge the assumption that investment in cycling infrastructure alone will increase cycling.
  Speaker: Phillip Darnton, Chairman, Cycling England (funded by UK Dept for Transport); Deputy President, Bicycle Association of Great Britain; businessman (marketing, management, global strategic planning).
  When: 3.00 - 4.30 pm Monday, 30 November. (tea & coffee from 2.30pm).
  Where: Christchurch Art Gallery/Te Puna o Waiwhetu, cnr Worcester Blvd & Montreal St.
  Hosted by:  The Canterbury Regional Transport Committee & the Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy.
  
  

• Talk: The Art Instinct- why we evolved to love beauty.
  

  Pleasure in natural and artistic beauty is found across the globe and through history. Darwin's theory of evolution explains why, from Homer of the Iliad to the Homer of The Simpsons, from the Lascaux caves to Carnegie Hall, human beings are enchanted by the arts.
  Speaker: Denis Dutton, Professor of Philosophy, University of Canterbury.
  When: 6.00 - 7.00 Tuesday, 1 December.
  Where: Christchurch Art Gallery.
  Part of 2009 University of Canterbury in the City lecture series (showcasing research from the University's five Colleges and School of Law).
  More here. (www.canterbury.ac.nz).
  
  

• Talk/Seminar: University of Kansas meridian uncrewed air vehicle.

  (Presently being shipped to the Antarctic for trial; developed for carrying ice-penetrating radar to get data on ice thickness and condition at the interface with bedrock - to help predict ice movement and therefore sea level changes - without risking personnel). More here.
  Speaker: Prof Ronald Dougherty, University of Kansas.
  When: 6.30 pm Wednesday, 2 December.
  Where: Com 101, Commerce Building(?), University of Canterbury.
  
  

• Event: Enviroschools Summer Jam:

  80+ young people from around NZ (ages 15-25). Come & be a part of the sustainability movement - 5 days of inspiration, action, speakers, workshops, and chillaxing with like minded youth.
  When: 10 -15 January.
  Where: Living Springs, Lyttelton Harbour.
  More information/contact: Jen at Enviroschools Canterbury: Jen.rodgers@enviroschools.org.nz
  or 3746328 (Mon to Thurs).
  
  

• Conference: Social and Environmental Accounting Research (CSEAR).

  When: 6 – 8 December, 2009.
  Where: University of Canterbury.
  More info/contact: Here. (www.canterbury.ac.nz).
  
  

• Rolleston Envirotown Market:

  Vegetables, fruit, watercress, herbs, free range eggs, free range pork, Limousin beef, smoked salmon, plants, cards, crafts ... much more.
  When: 10.00 - 1.00 pm Sun., 13 December. Where: Rolleston Square, Rolleston.
  Contact/more info: ph 347 8240 or tonicermu@gmail.com.
  
  

• Wellington event: Camp for climate action: Team up, get trained, take action.

  Seeks to address the real causes of climate change & build a people's movement that can and will stop disastrous climate change.
  When: 16 - 21 December, 2009.
  Where: Wellington.
  More info/contact: www.climatecamp.org.nz.
  
  

• Waihopai spy base protest:

  When: January 22 - 24.
  Where: Waihopai, Blenheim.
  More info/register: www.converge.org.nz.
  Organised by: Anti-Bases Campaign.
  
  

• NZAEE Biennial Conference: Te Ahu Whakamua - Taking the next steps.

  When: 19 - 22 January 2010.
  Where: Hawkes Bay.
  Registrations now open.
  Much more info/contact/registrations: here. (www.nzaeeconference2010.co.nz).
  NZAEE: NZ Association for Environmental Education.

Reminders:

• Free home composting workshops:

  Hot composting of kitchen scraps & garden waste, Bokashi and worm farms. All methods demonstrated.
  1. Seven Oaks Education Centre, 35 Hassals Lane. 1.00 - 2.30 pm each Saturday.
  2. Lyttelton Community Garden, 54A Oxford Street, 10.30 – 12.00 pm each Saturday.
  More info/contact: Annmarie 021 190 4559 or 942 7190 (evenings).
  Supported by CCC.
  
  

• Gardening courses: starting a garden, seed saving, composting, pickling & preserving, etc.

  Where: Strickland Street Community Garden, 188 Strickland Street, Spreydon. 
  When: for times & dates see their website www.sscommunitygardens.net.nz.
  Further info/contact: 942 6630.
  Supported by CCC.
  
  

• Free bike trailer hire:

  Try out a bike trailer for a month for free. See how much fun and how easy it is to carry loads without a car. Groceries, ladders, fruit, kayaks, windsurfers, kite surfers, library books, bikes, musical instruments, pets,  tools, billboards, garage sale treasures, pinecones, white bait nets, firewood, etc.
  Contact: Steven Muir: steve@cycletrailers.co.nz or 365 8238.